In May I wrote of the dream of donning whites again. Did this happen? Yes it did, in late July, by which time there was a huge appetite for some cricket, indeed any cricket.
We are indebted to the administration at the Kent County Village League for organising a competitive mini-league programme (details in the skipper’s end of season summary) and to Mark du Bock who assembled several Sunday teams in collaboration with his opposite number at Ightham CC. Then the season ended and abnormality resumed.
Since those heady days, the Skipper Kendall Jarrett has spearheaded the pavilion refurb, which continues apace. In a year of negligible revenue and continuing outgoings (eg insurance) we have been fortunate to receive a financial handout from Rishi Sunak plus generous donations from several of the UCC family. As I write this note, the refurb programme has reached the pavilion roof, which is being renewed prior to its 34th winter. Inside, paintbrushes are being wielded with vigour, especially by the Secretary Dick Hawkes. The hope and expectation is that the pavilion will be in apple pie order for the start of season 2021.
The outfield has benefited from generous watering and a campaign is currently being waged against incursions by moles. This is not the first such campaign and it will not be the last. We have learned that moles are avid followers of cricket, particularly at UCC, where they enjoy fielding in the gully.
The other news is that Frank and Maria retired from the White Rock in the middle of the current pandemic. They have been faithful supporters of UCC for (I estimate) around 25 years. We hope they enjoy their new home in Maidstone and that Frank now finds time to do some serious fishing.
The UCC golfers returned to Piltdown GC at the end of September. Dick Hawkes organised the turnout and Alan Sinclair orchestrated a very pleasant pre-golf lunch at The Griffin in Fletching. Barry Campbell and Rob Scott proved victorious on the course itself.
On a sad note, news reached us earlier this autumn of the death of Helen Watson. When she and Robin left the Old Vicarage in Underriver, they relocated to Harrogate, which is in the county adjacent to Lancashire. Helen was a great supporter of UCC and always lit up the room with her smile. Our thoughts are with Robin and with Alex and Nick at this time.
Adrian Barr-Smith
President, Underriver Cricket Club
We are indebted to the administration at the Kent County Village League for organising a competitive mini-league programme (details in the skipper’s end of season summary) and to Mark du Bock who assembled several Sunday teams in collaboration with his opposite number at Ightham CC. Then the season ended and abnormality resumed.
Since those heady days, the Skipper Kendall Jarrett has spearheaded the pavilion refurb, which continues apace. In a year of negligible revenue and continuing outgoings (eg insurance) we have been fortunate to receive a financial handout from Rishi Sunak plus generous donations from several of the UCC family. As I write this note, the refurb programme has reached the pavilion roof, which is being renewed prior to its 34th winter. Inside, paintbrushes are being wielded with vigour, especially by the Secretary Dick Hawkes. The hope and expectation is that the pavilion will be in apple pie order for the start of season 2021.
The outfield has benefited from generous watering and a campaign is currently being waged against incursions by moles. This is not the first such campaign and it will not be the last. We have learned that moles are avid followers of cricket, particularly at UCC, where they enjoy fielding in the gully.
The other news is that Frank and Maria retired from the White Rock in the middle of the current pandemic. They have been faithful supporters of UCC for (I estimate) around 25 years. We hope they enjoy their new home in Maidstone and that Frank now finds time to do some serious fishing.
The UCC golfers returned to Piltdown GC at the end of September. Dick Hawkes organised the turnout and Alan Sinclair orchestrated a very pleasant pre-golf lunch at The Griffin in Fletching. Barry Campbell and Rob Scott proved victorious on the course itself.
On a sad note, news reached us earlier this autumn of the death of Helen Watson. When she and Robin left the Old Vicarage in Underriver, they relocated to Harrogate, which is in the county adjacent to Lancashire. Helen was a great supporter of UCC and always lit up the room with her smile. Our thoughts are with Robin and with Alex and Nick at this time.
Adrian Barr-Smith
President, Underriver Cricket Club